Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy, 2009
In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out ... more In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out to investigate the accuracy of the beam modifier algorithm in a computerized treatment planning system (Theraplan plus, version 3.8). The effect of different parameters such as beam hardening and softening coefficients on the wedge factor was also studied. A 15MV photon beam obtained from a linear accelerator was used throughout the experiments. Normalized wedge factors were determined experimentally as well as with the Theraplan plus system as a function of field size and depth in a water phantom for 15◦, 30◦, 45◦, and 60◦ wedge filters. The attenuation coefficients, beam hardening coefficient, and beam softening coefficients were also determined experimentally using the 15MV photon beam for each wedge angle. The measured normalized wedge factor was found to increase with increasing depth and field size for the 15MV beam. The Theraplan plus calculated normalized wedge factor was found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. This study indicated that ignoring the dependence of the wedge factor on depth and field size will result in underexposure of the tumour.
Detailed comparisons of the predictions of the Relativistic Form Factors (RFFs) and Modified Form... more Detailed comparisons of the predictions of the Relativistic Form Factors (RFFs) and Modified Form Factors (MFFs) and their advantages and shortcomings in calculating elastic scattering cross sections can be found in the literature. However, the issues related to their implementation in the Monte Carlo (MC) sampling for coherently scattered photons is still under discussion. Secondly, the linear interpolation technique (LIT) is a popular method to draw the integrated values of squared RFFs/MFFs (i.e. A(Z, v(i)²)) over squared momentum transfer (v(i)² = v(1)²,......, v(59)²). In the current study, the role/issues of RFFs/MFFs and LIT in the MC sampling for the coherent scattering were analyzed. The results showed that the relative probability density curves sampled on the basis of MFFs are unable to reveal any extra scientific information as both the RFFs and MFFs produced the same MC sampled curves. Furthermore, no relationship was established between the multiple small peaks and irregular step shapes (i.e. statistical noise) in the PDFs and either RFFs or MFFs. In fact, the noise in the PDFs appeared due to the use of LIT. The density of the noise depends upon the interval length between two consecutive points in the input data table of A(Z, v(i)²) and has no scientific background. The probability density function curves became smoother as the interval lengths were decreased. In conclusion, these statistical noises can be efficiently removed by introducing more data points in the A(Z, v(i)²) data tables.
The current release limit, recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(1), from ... more The current release limit, recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(1), from hospitals of patients undergoing 131I thyrotoxicosis therapy is approximately 1100 MBq (approximately 30 mCi). Owing to the difference in socio-economic conditions, literacy rate, family system, etc., this release limit may not be applicable in most of the developing countries like Pakistan. Therefore, the prime objective of this case study was to re-evaluate the release criteria for 131I thyrotoxicosis therapy patients by taking into account their lifestyle, economic conditions and other facilities such as availability of private/public transport, etc. In this context, systematic studies were carried out and 50 patients (i.e. 35 outpatients and 15 inpatients) at the Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad, were studied. Exposure rate at the surface of the body and at a distance of 1 m from the standing patient was measured. Results obtained from this study showed that the dose equivalent delivered by these patients to their family members (particularly children) and general public was higher than annual dose limits recommended by the International Commission for Radiation Protection in their report ICRP Publication 60(2). In the light of this study, it is recommended that the release activity limit of approximately 370 MBq (or dose rate level of approximately 10 microSv h-1 at 1 m from the patient) be adopted instead of approximately 1100 MBq in developing countries like Pakistan.
Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy, 2009
In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out ... more In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out to investigate the accuracy of the beam modifier algorithm in a computerized treatment planning system (Theraplan plus, version 3.8). The effect of different parameters such as beam hardening and softening coefficients on the wedge factor was also studied. A 15MV photon beam obtained from
Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy, 2009
In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out ... more In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out to investigate the accuracy of the beam modifier algorithm in a computerized treatment planning system (Theraplan plus, version 3.8). The effect of different parameters such as beam hardening and softening coefficients on the wedge factor was also studied. A 15MV photon beam obtained from a linear accelerator was used throughout the experiments. Normalized wedge factors were determined experimentally as well as with the Theraplan plus system as a function of field size and depth in a water phantom for 15◦, 30◦, 45◦, and 60◦ wedge filters. The attenuation coefficients, beam hardening coefficient, and beam softening coefficients were also determined experimentally using the 15MV photon beam for each wedge angle. The measured normalized wedge factor was found to increase with increasing depth and field size for the 15MV beam. The Theraplan plus calculated normalized wedge factor was found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. This study indicated that ignoring the dependence of the wedge factor on depth and field size will result in underexposure of the tumour.
Detailed comparisons of the predictions of the Relativistic Form Factors (RFFs) and Modified Form... more Detailed comparisons of the predictions of the Relativistic Form Factors (RFFs) and Modified Form Factors (MFFs) and their advantages and shortcomings in calculating elastic scattering cross sections can be found in the literature. However, the issues related to their implementation in the Monte Carlo (MC) sampling for coherently scattered photons is still under discussion. Secondly, the linear interpolation technique (LIT) is a popular method to draw the integrated values of squared RFFs/MFFs (i.e. A(Z, v(i)²)) over squared momentum transfer (v(i)² = v(1)²,......, v(59)²). In the current study, the role/issues of RFFs/MFFs and LIT in the MC sampling for the coherent scattering were analyzed. The results showed that the relative probability density curves sampled on the basis of MFFs are unable to reveal any extra scientific information as both the RFFs and MFFs produced the same MC sampled curves. Furthermore, no relationship was established between the multiple small peaks and irregular step shapes (i.e. statistical noise) in the PDFs and either RFFs or MFFs. In fact, the noise in the PDFs appeared due to the use of LIT. The density of the noise depends upon the interval length between two consecutive points in the input data table of A(Z, v(i)²) and has no scientific background. The probability density function curves became smoother as the interval lengths were decreased. In conclusion, these statistical noises can be efficiently removed by introducing more data points in the A(Z, v(i)²) data tables.
The current release limit, recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(1), from ... more The current release limit, recommended by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)(1), from hospitals of patients undergoing 131I thyrotoxicosis therapy is approximately 1100 MBq (approximately 30 mCi). Owing to the difference in socio-economic conditions, literacy rate, family system, etc., this release limit may not be applicable in most of the developing countries like Pakistan. Therefore, the prime objective of this case study was to re-evaluate the release criteria for 131I thyrotoxicosis therapy patients by taking into account their lifestyle, economic conditions and other facilities such as availability of private/public transport, etc. In this context, systematic studies were carried out and 50 patients (i.e. 35 outpatients and 15 inpatients) at the Nuclear Medicine Oncology and Radiotherapy Institute (NORI), Islamabad, were studied. Exposure rate at the surface of the body and at a distance of 1 m from the standing patient was measured. Results obtained from this study showed that the dose equivalent delivered by these patients to their family members (particularly children) and general public was higher than annual dose limits recommended by the International Commission for Radiation Protection in their report ICRP Publication 60(2). In the light of this study, it is recommended that the release activity limit of approximately 370 MBq (or dose rate level of approximately 10 microSv h-1 at 1 m from the patient) be adopted instead of approximately 1100 MBq in developing countries like Pakistan.
Reports of Practical Oncology & Radiotherapy, 2009
In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out ... more In order to optimize the tumour dose by using wedge filters, systematic studies were carried out to investigate the accuracy of the beam modifier algorithm in a computerized treatment planning system (Theraplan plus, version 3.8). The effect of different parameters such as beam hardening and softening coefficients on the wedge factor was also studied. A 15MV photon beam obtained from
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coefficients were also determined experimentally using the 15MV photon beam for each wedge angle. The measured normalized wedge factor was found to increase with increasing depth and field size for the 15MV beam. The Theraplan plus calculated normalized wedge factor was found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. This study indicated that ignoring the dependence of the wedge factor on depth and field size will result in underexposure of the tumour.
coefficients were also determined experimentally using the 15MV photon beam for each wedge angle. The measured normalized wedge factor was found to increase with increasing depth and field size for the 15MV beam. The Theraplan plus calculated normalized wedge factor was found to be in good agreement with the experimental values. This study indicated that ignoring the dependence of the wedge factor on depth and field size will result in underexposure of the tumour.